Vehicle Battery Charge Control Using Engine Runtime History
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charge control systems for secondary batteries in vehicles do not adequately account for variations in power storage loss due to self-discharge and dark current, leading to potential overcharge and accelerated battery deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A charge control apparatus and method that measures engine operation time and battery temperature to set an appropriate initial charge amount, adjusting the charge based on previous use patterns and temperature, with mechanisms to prevent overcharge by setting smaller charge amounts for longer engine operation times and forcing an end to the charge process if not completed within a predetermined time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed charge amount is set for secondary battery in use start, then the charge control is simple, but the battery may be overcharged when engine operation time is long, causing accelerated deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The charge amount is made dynamic by adjusting it according to the measured engine operation time. The control unit sets different charge amounts based on whether the engine operation time is below or above a threshold value, allowing the system to adapt to varying usage conditions and prevent overcharge while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge amount parameter is changed based on the engine operation time parameter. When the engine operation time exceeds a threshold, the charge amount is reduced to prevent overcharge. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the charge control responsive to actual usage conditions without requiring complex control logic.
2Quantity of substance
If the charge amount is increased to compensate for power storage loss during vehicle idle periods, then the battery charge level is maintained, but overcharge occurs when the vehicle is used frequently, accelerating battery deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the engine operation time measurement to adjust the charge amount. By measuring the actual engine operation time during the previous use period and comparing it to a threshold, the control unit determines the appropriate charge amount to apply, preventing both undercharge and overcharge conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge amount is dynamically adjusted based on the measured engine operation time. When the engine operates for a long time (above threshold), less charge is applied. When the engine operates for a short time (below threshold), more charge is applied to compensate for self-discharge during extended idle periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A charge control apparatus is mounted on a vehicle having a secondary battery charged with output electric power of a generator driven by an engine, and includes: an engine operation time measurement unit measuring an operation time of the engine during a use period; an initial charge amount setting unit setting an initial charge amount based on a previous engine operation time, the initial charge amount being for supplementing, in use start of the vehicle, an amount of decrease of a power storage amount of the secondary battery from previous use end of the vehicle, the previous engine operation time being an operation time of the engine measured by the engine operation time measurement unit during a previous use period of the vehicle; and a charge control unit performing initial charge control of charging the secondary battery by the initial charge amount in use start of the vehicle.